Vacation

What area is recommended to stay for4-5 days in Great Smokey park? We're looking to relax & be outdoors & not for the touristy, cheesy part. I've read about Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge and that's not what we want to be too near. What about Maggie Valley, Cosby, Townsend etc? We want to see some of the major sites in the park but don't want to be on top of the tacky shops & crowds etc. Any suggestions please? This will be in late Aug

beth

Well if you don't have children and are not interested in touristy, don't go to Gatlinburg or Dollywood! if you are looking for a nice more romantic spot, I would suggest at deluxe B&B I have stayed at. I believe the name is Christopher Place and it is on the road toward Sevierville in the area. If you are not necessarily looking for romantic, still check the Sevierville area out, it is nice and less touristy. another choie for more of a woodsy outdoors experience is Cade's Cove in the south.

Sher

My sister lives in Maggie Valley so
I could recommend it as a base to visit the park. You could probably look on the internet for some weeklong rentals in that area. I totally agree with your assessment of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Sal

I think Maggie Valley has also gotten a bit touristy. If you do opt for that area, look into staying at Cataloochee. It's on a beautiful mountain-top location and the staff is very attentive. You can check it out at www.cataloochee-ranch.com.

One of my favorite areas is Townsend. It is fairy untouched by commercialism. There are several nice little motels and cabins. The restaurants are mostly home-cooked type places, and the food is good. The Pigeon River runs through it and tubing is fun after a good rain. Cades Cove and excellent trail heads are nearby. It's a quick drive over to Pigeon Forge if you want to do some outlet shopping. Ohterwise, I would avoid that area.

My college roomate has a house up there and we try to go every summer or fall.

Vacation

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know anything about Doogwood cabins & realty in Townsend, (Dogwoodcabins.com)? Their site shows some beautiful rentals, also has anyone dealt with CarolinaVacations.com? Their rentals look great too, in Maggie Valley. I know a web site can make anything look good. Thanks for any suggestions.

RB

We have enjoyed the Little Greenbrier Inn, a great B&B which is right outside the Smokies NP. You can use the NP road to go directly into Gatlinburg, bypassing all the tourist crud that has decimated the drive from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg. The Little Greenbrier trail is right down from the Inn, so you can keep your car parked and head straight into the woods.
http://www.bbonline.com/tn/lgl/index.html
Townsend is billed as "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies." Civilization is creeping in, but a very fine B&B is the Richmont Inn.
http://www.bbonline.com/tn/richmont/index.html
If you're a camper and a hiker, you can't beat camping in Cosby Campground. Think they finally have hot showers. Several trails are located at the main campground, allowing you to go in and out without working a car shuttle. Check out info at:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

Bob Brown

You have gotten very good advice on the Smokies. I have been to that region many times and everything said so far matches my thoughts. One good aspect of Townsend is the nearness of Cades Cove. The Cove can be very crowded on a weekend day, and it takes a while to drive the narrow, one way road. Don't plan on doing anything quickly by car that day.
On the Maggie Valley side, there is an unpaved road, but well graded, that leads to the northeastern corner of the park. Relatively few people go there (compared to Clingman's Dome).
My favorite walk in the park is the trail to Arch Rock. If you want to go farther, the same trail leads up to Alum Cave Bluffs on Mount Leconte. You can get a nice view of the territory from there.
Have a good visit.

mcouch

My favorite place is on the Townsend side of the Smokies. Check out Old Smoky Mountain Cabin rentals. In particular, The Dream Catcher.

Vikki woods

At $100 I'm afraid NYC is not in your budget - except the YMCA which probably won't do. Or you might check out bed and breakfasts in Manhattan with a search - I know there are lots and rates are reasonable. As for dancing, hummm, what kind do you like? There are all the swinging clubs, there are clubs for swing music, salsa, etc. And over on Times Square there is the Roseland Ballroom.
good luck, and don't forget, you have to educate and marry off heirs.

debbie

The best place to go away from all the hustle and bustle is cosby camping area. The hiking and trails are great, espically Mt.cammerer, it's worth it. And Mt.Leconte has five trails to the top with 12 or so cabins to stay overnight but you must have reservations to stay, but can visit for a day hike, which is located inside the park.

Alan

If you go to Cades Cove, the 11 mile loop road is closed to vehicular traffic until 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Take your bike and have a great time. Rentals are available at the campground, but the last time I looked they were all one-speed "bombers" - tough on the back side of the loop - up and down, up and down. Wednesdays are truly great - rarely crowded.

I like to bike to the Abrams Falls trail head (about half way around the loop) and do a trail run or hike to the Falls (around 5 miles round trip) and then finish the loop on my bike.

cseus

There are other places to stay in the Great Smoky Mountains as well. The weather is not that hot in the smokies. Even during the summer. Have a look at these cabins http://www.legacymountainresort.com/
http://www.sugarmaplecabins.com/
http://www.thepreserveresort.com/
http://www.majesticmountainvacations.com/
http://www.gatlinburgcabinsonline.com/
Also here are a couple of guides to the smokies: http://www.rodsguide.com
http://www.smokiesguide.com
http://gatlinburg-tennessee.org/
http://www.gsmnp.com/

Christian